¹Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

• ²“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered?
• Should a man full of talk be justified?

• ³Should your boastings make men hold their peace?
• When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

• ⁴For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure.
• I am clean in your eyes.’

• ⁵But oh that God would speak,
• and open his lips against you,

• ⁶that he would show you the secrets of wisdom!
• For true wisdom has two sides.
• Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

• ⁷“Can you fathom the mystery of God?
• Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

• ⁸They are high as heaven. What can you do?
• They are deeper than Sheol *Sheol is the place of the dead.. What can you know?

• ⁹Its measure is longer than the earth,
• and broader than the sea.

• ¹⁰If he passes by, or confines,
• or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

• ¹¹For he knows false men.
• He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

• ¹²An empty-headed man becomes wise
• when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

• ¹³“If you set your heart aright,
• stretch out your hands toward him.

• ¹⁴If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away.
• Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

• ¹⁵Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot;
• Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

• ¹⁶for you shall forget your misery.
• You shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

• ¹⁷Life shall be clearer than the noonday.
• Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

• ¹⁸You shall be secure, because there is hope.
• Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

• ¹⁹Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.
• Yes, many shall court your favor.

• ²⁰But the eyes of the wicked shall fail.
• They shall have no way to flee.
• Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”